Apple to out an iPhone 5S with A7 chip and fingerprint security in June, plus a cheaper fiberglass model

posted by Daniel P. / Mar 05, 2013, 2:35 AM

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, who has correctly predicted Apple's plans before, now restates that Cupertino is aiming to launch both a souped-up iPhone 5S, and a more affordable iPhone in June.

The cheaper iPhone is going to add some bulk and heft compared to the premium device, and the chassis is allegedly going to be fused out of fiberglass and plastic.

It will sport LTE radio, but the analyst thinks Apple will be having tailored versions for different carriers like the TD-SCDMA China Mobile, rather than slap Qualcomm's newly-announced chip that combines all radios under the sun: "RF360's customers are OEMs who have no capability to design RF front end and PA by themselves," mentioned the analyst.

The iPhone 5S is also going to arrive in a version for China Mobile subscribers, but the analyst expects the network testing procedures to be done at a later date than the global July launch, namely around September this year, which will serve as a huge boost for the iPhone 5S holiday quarter sales.

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posted on Mar 05, 2013, 2:54 AM 10

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posted on Mar 05, 2013, 11:18 PM 0

Posts: 4769; Member since: Mar 07, 2012

"The cheaper iPhone is going to add bulk and heft compared to the premium device, and the chassis is allegedly going to be fused out of fiberglass and plastic mold."
That's the innovation right there... 'Bulk and heft'.
Suddenly, bulky and hefty phones are going to be back and termed 'sexy' because Apple did it...and they did it with a reasonable price. SMH¡¡¡

posted on Mar 05, 2013, 3:22 AM 2

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posted on Mar 05, 2013, 3:32 AM 0

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

Should be interesting to see how much the iphone 5s sells. A lot of people were holding off on the 4s for the iphone 5. My guess is that the iphone 5 is the peak sales and they will see a decrease from here on out.

posted on Mar 05, 2013, 4:57 AM 2

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posted on Mar 05, 2013, 2:51 AM 1

Posts: 1999; Member since: Sep 16, 2011

As much as this analyst tries to sensationalise it he is essentially saying what everyone already knows,this years iPhone will be the exact same iPhone 5 again albeit with a faster chip and slightly improved camera. The finger print scanner has already been done on other handsets,don't think apple will use it though.
You never know we might be surprised,apple may use the fingerprint scanner as this years gimmick to pass the phone off as new,it would of course be the worlds first ever and best ever fingerprint scanner

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